Private prison operator is on list of maxed-out Brown contributors

By By Paige St. John

Jan 21, 2014 | 11:30 AM

SACRAMENTO -- Labor unions, Hollywood's glitterati, California philanthropists and a private company profiting from Gov. Jerry Brown's fight over prison crowding are among 72 top donors who have maxed out on contributions to Brown's reelection campaign even before he officially runs.

Brown's campaign fund reports receiving two $27,200 checks in early January from the GEO Group, based in Boca Raton, Fla. The company in September signed contracts with the state worth $150 million to house 1,400 inmates in two low-security facilities within California, in Adelanto and in McFarland. That's more than double the $25,900 that GEO gave to Brown late in the 2010 race, an amount it also gave to Brown's competitor, Meg Whitman.

Gambling outlets are also betting on Brown. Nevada-based Station Casinos, which seeks to open a casino north of Fresno, gave $54,400 to the governor's war chest as did martial arts promoter Zuffa. Both companies are owned by the same brothers. Brown had approved the casino project, but neighboring tribes oppose it and have put a referendum on the November 2014 ballot to kill the project.

Brown continues to be coy about his possible bid for reelection and has yet to officially announce his plans. However, Brown's 2014 campaign fund has been collecting money since late 2010, according to reports filed with the Secretary of State.